Transgender Policy

 1. Introduction and Context

1.1. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd (Pickleball Wales) believes that everyone should be able to access and enjoy the sport of pickleball regardless of their sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, background or circumstances.

1.2. In the 2021 census, 262,000 people aged 16 and over in England and Wales said that their gender identity was different to their birth sex. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd believes that transgender and non-binary people should be able to access pickleball without fear of discrimination or prejudice. People who identify as transgender or non-binary have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

1.3. We recognise that sport needs to adapt and reflect the rapid changes in modern society and the principle of inclusion in pickleball is at the heart of how we, and all in the pickleball community, conduct ourselves. This includes supporting the rights and dignity of transgender players, coaches, officials and volunteers.

1.4. At the time of writing, there has been no guidance produced on this issue from either the World Pickleball Federation or the European Pickleball Federation. Therefore, similar to other sports, this policy for pickleball has been developed in line with the 2021 Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport produced by the 5 UK Sports Councils (UK Sport, Sport England, Sport Scotland, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport Wales), a copy of which can be accessed here. This updates guidance produced in 2013.

2. Purpose and Scope

2.1. This is our first policy for transgender and non-binary participants and has been carefully considered. Our intention is for Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd to have objective and instructive guidelines in place for recreational and competitive activity that take into account validated research and the necessary evidence in order to ensure inclusivity and fairness as much as can be reasonably expected with this sensitive and complex issue.

2.2. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd recognises and acknowledges each individual’s right to define their own gender, regardless of their sex at birth. We also fully support their right to choose if, when, and how to share their gender with others. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd operates a zero-tolerance policy on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.

2.3. As our sport grows, to support the participation of transgender and non-binary players in pickleball, we will provide support, advice and guidance for players, clubs, coaches and volunteers to ensure transgender, transgender and non-binary policy and non-binary players can continue their involvement in pickleball both whilst and after transitioning.

2.4. This policy has been developed in good faith based on the evidence and knowledge that exists today and it is recognised that the policy will need to be regularly reviewed and subject to change related to the findings of any new validated research.

2.5. Any enquiries regarding participation of a transgender or non-binary player as a competitor should be made via email to the Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd Chair and Equality Officer ***

3. Definitions for this policy

To aid understanding and provide clarity, the following definitions have been produced for the specific terms referred to in this document:

Term/wording : Definition

Acquired gender :  The gender that the person has transitioned to as opposed to that which is assigned at birth (their birth/sex at birth).

Sex at birth : The sex (male or female) assigned at birth based on physical characteristics (this may also be referred to as assigned sex).

Fairness: Competitive equity in relation to the sex category, and as defined within the Equality Act in relation to strength, stamina and physique in gender-affected sport.

Female competition : A competition for players whose sex at birth is female.

Gender affected sport : A sport in which the physical strength, stamina or physique of average people of one sex would put them at a disadvantage compared with average people of the other sex.

Gender identity : A term used to describe someone’s sense of their gender. A transgender person’s gender identity is not the same as the sex recorded on their original birth certificate. A person’s innate sense of their own gender, whether male, female or non-binary, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth.

Gender reassignment : In the Equality Act 2010, gender reassignment means proposing to undergo, undergoing or having undergone a process to reassign your sex. To be protected from gender reassignment discrimination, you do not need to have undergone any medical treatment or surgery to change from your birth sex to your preferred gender. 

Inclusion : The principle of welcoming and including everyone in the sport.

Non-binary person/player : An umbrella term for people who do not consider themselves to have a solely male or female gender identity. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspect of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.

Open competition : A competition for which all individuals will be eligible to enter and compete.

Safety : Refers to safety from the risk of injury.

Sanctioned competition : Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd sanctioned tournaments, usually national events such as the English OPEN and English Nationals. As pickleball grows the number of sanctioned competitions are likely to increase.

Trans : A shorter way of saying ‘transgender’.

Transgender person/player : An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned to at birth.

Transgender man : Someone who is assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a male.

Transgender woman : Someone who is assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a female.

Transition/transitioning : The steps a transgender person may take to live in the gender with which they identify. Each person’s transition will involve different things. For some this involves medical intervention (such as hormone therapy and surgeries), but not all transgender people want or are able to have this. Transitioning might also involve things such as telling friends and family, dressing differently, and changing official documents.

Unsanctioned competition : Refers to tournaments and any other pickleball competition or tournaments not sanctioned by PbE. These are usually local tournaments organised at club or inter-club level.

4. Gender Affected Sport

4.1. The Equality Act (2010) makes specific provision for sports organisations to restrict participation by transgender people as competitors in an event, or events, involving a gender-affected sport. Such prohibition or restrictions can only be made in order to secure fair competition or the safety of competitors at the event/s. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd will, as much as is practically possible, support clubs and organisations involved with the delivery of events and Transgender and non-binary policy competitions to ensure fairness and will investigate fully any complaints relating to unfair exclusion from pickleball.

4.2. The available evidence shows that pickleball should be considered to be a gender affected sport, as it shares characteristics with a number of other sports (including racquet sports such as badminton and tennis). This means it is a sport where the physical strength, stamina or physique of an average female would put them at a disadvantage compared with an average male.

5. Recreational/casual activity

5.1. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd encourages transgender and non-binary players to play pickleball recreationally in the gender they identify as. This includes all recreational participation such as club activity and festivals where results are not the priority.

5.2. At this recreational level of involvement in the sport it is felt that inclusion is the priority, and no formal verification procedure is required.

6. Unsanctioned and Sanctioned Competition

6.1. The Sports Council’s review found that where there is ‘meaningful competition’, that due to differences in physique, stamina, and strength the inclusion of transgender people cannot be balanced with inclusion, fairness and safety in gender affected sports.

6.2. As a relatively young sport the competition structure and format of pickleball is currently developing and emerging. PbE’s Doubles League is billed as a gender neutral event and no information about gender is captured at registration. Players are put into groups based on DUPR rating. Events that are men’s or women’s doubles it is felt that fairness, rather than inclusion, is the priority.

6.3. Unsanctioned pickleball competition comprises local tournaments, leagues and festivals not connected to or organised by PbE, of which there is thought to be a significant amount across the country. It also includes events organised for players in education (e.g. primary school, secondary school, Further Education and Higher Education). It will be for those competition and tournament organisers to decide to adopt this policy as part of their specific competition rules. It is recommended that they do so although it cannot be mandated.

6.4. Sanctioned competition includes PbE sanctioned tournaments, such as the PbE English Nationals and the English OPEN  Transgender and non-binary policy

6.5. Competition at these levels contributes to the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) rating of players and therefore fairness of competition will be prioritised, and the female category should be protected. This will require competition at this level to be categorised as:

6.5.1. Female competition – for players assigned female at birth.

6.5.2. Open or Mens+ competition – all individuals will be eligible to compete in the open category. This will replace the men’s category.

6.6. All players should remain aware of, and compliant with, anti-doping criteria, and for further information on this please refer to the separate Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd anti-doping policy.

6.7. Under no circumstances should a player be challenged on the validity of their participation within the relevant category during an event. Any concern should be reported, in the first instance, to Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd via email to ***. An inaccurate or malicious accusation or breach of the policy by a player could result in disciplinary action.

7. International Selection

7.1. In addition to the agreed published selection criteria, and due to the issues raised above, eligibility for selection for England representation will be restricted to the player’s sex at birth.

8. Volunteering and Employment

8.1. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd continues to welcome transgender and non-binary people to become involved in our volunteering and employment opportunities when they arise across the sport at all levels.

9. Education and Training

9.1. The Sports Council’s guidance highlights the ongoing need for education and engagement around this issue, with the aim of creating a culture and environment in sport in which the inclusion of all is expected, accepted, and ultimately celebrated.

9.2. In order to do this, Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd is committed to providing appropriate online and in person opportunities to enhance the knowledge and understanding around these issues for all involved. 

10. Anti-doping

10.1. All competitors should be aware that they may be subject to doping control testing as per the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Rules. The use of hormones in most cases contravene the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and therefore any transgender or non-binary players using hormones for the purpose of gender reassignment are encouraged to contact UK Anti-Doping to determine whether they are required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

11. Equality and Diversity

11.1. As noted above, under no circumstances should a player be challenged on the validity of their participation within the relevant category during an event. Any concern should be reported, in the first instance, to Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd via email through ***.

11.2. The Equality Act (2010) makes discrimination, directed at a person who identifies as transgender (whether directly or indirectly), against the law. Unwanted conduct (harassment) directed towards transgender people and victimisation, someone making a complaint about transgender discrimination and being treated less favourably, is also against the law. It is against the law to disclose someone’s trans history. Anyone who has transitioned and feels their history has not been treated confidentially or has experienced transphobia whilst involved in pickleball (in any capacity) can contact Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd for advice and support via ***.

12. Review and Updates

12.1. The policy will be reviewed regularly (at least annually) to take into account new research, best practice, and changing societal attitudes.

13. Policy Summary

In summary, the main elements of our policy are as follows:

13.1. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd believes that transgender and non-binary people should be able to access pickleball without fear of discrimination or prejudice. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd supports all players, coaches, officials and volunteers who identify as trans and does not tolerate transphobic behaviour.

13.2. Our policy is based on the 2021 Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport produced by the 5 UK Sports Councils. 

13.3. This guidance concludes that for many sports, the inclusion of transgender people, fairness and safety cannot co-exist in a single competitive model.

13.4. Pickleball is a gender-affected sport, therefore competitive fairness cannot be reconciled in female competitions with inclusion.

13.5. For recreational pickleball, inclusion is the priority and transgender and non-binary players are encouraged to play in the gender they identify as.

13.6. For competitive pickleball, fairness is the priority.

13.7. For unsanctioned competitions, it is the decision of the organisers to adopt this policy and Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd recommend that they do so.

13.8. For sanctioned competitions, the female category will be protected and restricted to players assigned female at birth. This means that a transgender woman cannot play in the female category of competition.

13.9. There will be an ‘open’ or mens+ category that replaces the male category in which all other individuals will be eligible to compete. This means that a transgender woman can play in this category of competition.

13.10. Eligibility for selection for Welsh representation will be restricted to the player’s sex at birth.

13.11. Y Ddraig Goch Pickleball Ltd is committed to providing appropriate online and in person opportunities to enhance the knowledge and understanding around these issues for all involved.

13.12. The policy will be reviewed regularly (at least annually)

14. Further Information

14.1. For more information, guidance and resources on the issues around this subject please visit resources (equalityinsport.org).

14.2. If you have any questions or queries relating to this policy that are not answered within this document, please contact *** 

15. Date of approval: ***